Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland

Time and again the Atlanta Botanical Garden has outdone itself with a new, exciting, must-see special exhibition and this year's summer exhibition is no exception, other than it's absolutely exceptional! Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland is wondrous. It delights the imagination. It inspires awe. It is indeed a must-see!

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

This exhibition is a rabbit hole you're happy to fall into and don't plan on coming out quickly. You get to immerse yourself in 16 installations of 38 individual sculptures, many themed after Alice in Wonderland. 

The "White Cat" sculpture is 27-feet tall!!! "Planted" in the Aquatic Pond, be sure to walk the perimeter so you can take in the full experience! At first I din't know what the black pole was holding up the Mad Hatter's hat, but once you're upon it you see that it's an umbrella handle. If you don't walk around the sculpture, you might miss the giant pocket watch and many of the other spectacular details. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

As you explore Alice's Wonderland, you too will be smiling, not a Cheshire Cat's mischievous smile, but a smile of delight. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

The giant chess board was a gigantic surprise! I've played chess since I was nine years old and it's my favorite game. That this one incorporates my favorite animal—horses—made this a double treat for me and for so many other Garden guests. It's the largest concentration of sculptures, one that you do not want to miss.

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

A nod to the Red Queen, there are heart playing card centurions on the giant chess board! 

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

If you've seen Imaginary Worlds before and wondered "How do they tend to the 'living' sculptures?", many of them are hand-watered. It's fun, and endearing, to see!

Speaking of "hydration", a favorite way to experience the Atlanta Botanical Garden is its spring and summer series on Thursday evenings, Cocktails in the Garden. #datenight

Enjoy a glass of wine, a cocktail, a beer, or the Garden's new beer, a collaboration with local Wild Heaven Beer, called "Garden Beer". It's fantastic and already super-popular with Garden guests! 

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

Some of last year’s Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time crowd-favorites are back, some donning coats of different plant palettes than before...and they're BEAUTIFUL! Be sure to get a garden map on your way in so that you do not miss any of them.

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

Some of the returning sculptures from last years are in different locales, within the Garden, and at least one—Rumpelstiltskin—is now nodding at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville, a delightful and highly recommended experience!

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

TIP: Remember to charge your phone before or on the way to the Garden. You WILL want to make photos...many, many photos of these enchanting sculptures! 

And while you're snapping photos to share on social media and to revisit later, be sure you're also in-the-moment. This is truly an exceptional experience, one I think you'll want to absorb in its entirety. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

Keep an eye out for Alice herself! Like Rumpelstiltskin, she too is nodding. You'll find her in a bed of brightly colored mushrooms being watched over by the Cheshire Cat. Makes one wonder what that Cheshire Cat has been up to...

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland
(Photo: Travis Swann Taylor)

Don't find yourself getting "curiouser and curiouser"...get yourself to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland now through Sunday, October 27.

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville

I've been wanting to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville since it opened and finally went recently...it's a magical place with lots of room to grow! I highly recommend a visit to explore...and be sure to bring your camera!

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Some of the programming at the Gainesville location mimics—not exactly though—what you might see at the Midtown location. Wonderful for visitors, they have their own "Imaginary Worlds" exhibition, with some sculptures that Atlantans have never seen—including TWO PANDAS!!!—and others that we've seen before but that have new plantings. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

It's not as far away as you might think, either! Heading north on I-85 and I-985, it's only an hour from the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown! There are more scenic routes that add only another 20 minutes. Did you know it was that close?! 

If you're a member, admission is free. Regular admission is only $8 for adults and $5 for kids...a fantastic deal considering the beauty within! It's smaller (for now) than Atlanta, but it's a wonderful place.

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I opened with the recommendation to bring your camera when you visit. I wasn't sure what to expect when I visited, whether or not they would have the same plantings as they do at the Atlanta location, but let me put that to rest right now...

The plantings here are beautiful, they're stunning, and you will definitely see plants, trees and flowers that you do not see at the Midtown location. I was delighted with every corner and path I turned.

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Many of us know that the Midtown Atlanta location has 'Cocktails in the Garden' on Thursday evenings. The Gainesville location is hosting its first Flamingle in the Garden this coming Thursday, June 6, 2019!

Themed to the fabulous 50s, the Garden will be loaded with groovy fun: a mobile record shop by the local folks at Imperial Records, hula-hoop and limbo contests starting at 7 p.m. on the Terrace, games on the Event Lawn, DJ and live oldies music in the Ivester Amphitheater and more.

This inaugural event sounds like great fun!

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Also at the Gainesville location for "Imaginary Worlds" is The Ogre, which was one of my favorites during the 2013-2014 exhibit at the Atlanta location! 

When you check-in at the Visitor Center, be sure to ask about the location of the sculptures. The Ogre is off the beaten path—to the left when you first enter the Garden. The others are along the main path which makes a giant loop through the Garden.

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

A super-popular program at the Midtown location, "Concerts in the Garden" also takes place at the Gainesville location. They have fewer concerts (so far), but they have a huge amphitheater perfect for this kind of entertaining! 

Concerts in the Garden performances in Gainesville will be in June and August, so you have plenty of time to get tickets. Actually, I'm assuming that....based on photos of other concerts there, they sell out, so maybe don't wait to long to get tickets if you know you want to go.

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Rumpelstiltskin is here for "Imaginary Worlds" and he's looking better than ever! You have to be careful though...as much as he makes you think it's a great idea to pick a tree and take a nap in this wholly delightful garden, you should keep to the path and perhaps find one of the many benches throughout the garden.  

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The Model Train Garden was a wonderful surprise and it's there year-round! 

At first I thought it was only running during special events, but the friend I went with, Wayne, connected the dots and pressed the giant red button—which I totally missed out of all the excitement—and the train emerged from the landscaped tunnel to begin its multi-run journey around the tracks. 

This special little garden made this train-lover very happy!

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Just to the right when entering the Garden there's a lovely Forest Pond that features flowering water lilies and other aquatic plants.

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There's so much more for me—and you!—to discover at the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville! Now under construction is a 2-acre Children's Garden, I believe slated to open later this year. 

This Garden has come a long way since opening and it's obvious they're going to become a major northeast Georgia destination! Enjoy your visit!

Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time

The newest exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is exciting beyond words...you must see it in real-life! It takes you to a time when you loved playing make-believe, a time of fairy-tales, a time of larger-than-life mysterious and mythical creatures...it takes you to "Imaginary Worlds".

Dragon | Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Atlantans and tourists were blown away when Imaginary Worlds came to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2013 and again in 2014. The new exhibition, Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time, far surpasses the wonderment we we knew then, as impossible as that sounds. 

The Dragon on the Great Lawn has become an immediate visitor favorite, and be sure to not miss the Sleeping Princess in the flower bed at its feet.

I've already seen the exhibition numerous times, with my 20+ years friend Jeff and fellow friends, my foodie friend Sally, my dear friend Katherine from D.C. who now lives in Florida, and I got to go on the media preview before the exhibition opened to the public...the sculptures have grown in nicely since then. And I'm going back at least a few times in the next couple of months! 

"Imaginary Worlds was just so incredibly popular with our guests that we just had to bring it back—but with an all-new twist," said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s President & CEO, who had assumed leadership of the Garden only a couple of years before she bought Chihuly to to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2004 (the first time), the grandest visionary move since the Conservatory opened in 1989.

Pegasus | Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time is a storybook-themed exhibition, featuring magical and mythical creatures in more than a dozen installations displayed outdoors and indoors.

Cocktails in the Garden is back, too! That means you get to see the sculptures dramatically lit as the sun goes down. Some of the creatures have illuminated eyes, including the Pegasus, that are more like catchlight than glowing...they're spectacular! 

The hours for Cocktails in the Garden have changed to half an hour earlier. It's now 5:30pm to 9:30pm, which is great news for those of us who enjoy going straight from the office.

Phoenix | Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

As if the sculptures alone weren't exciting enough, Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time is a two-year exhibition! This year it runs through Sunday, October 28, but don't wait. Once you've seen it the first time, you'll want to go again and again and again.

The sculptures were created by International Mosaiculture of Montreal and were then transported in environmentally-controlled trucks more than 1,200 miles to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It took a period of time to complete the installation once onsite.

Phoenix | Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Being three-dimensional, be sure to take advantage of seeing the whole of the sculptures that you can, particularly the Phoenix. You can't miss the Phoenix as you walk up the Promenade toward Longleaf restaurant. It's perched on the edge of Alston Overlook, the highest point in the Garden.

During one visit, there was a storyteller who dramatically told the story of the Phoenix and its connection to Atlanta...not a boring recant of historical facts (don't get me wrong, I love history), but a fantastical regaling of the rebirth of Atlanta!

Fire Artist| Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Speaking of fiery events, there was also a roving barker and fire artist who put on a spectacular show! There's lots of entertainment, a bit of it roving, so keep your eyes out! 

Camels| Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Be sure to check out the Skyline Garden, behind the Conservatory and Orchid Center, where you'll see a trio of traveling Camels, and if you're there for Cocktails in the Garden, there's another bar over there, that probably has the shortest line!

Faerie| Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

The sculptures are not the only magical creatures in the Garden! On one particular evening, there was a violin-playing faerie!

I don't know what other entertainment is planned for Cocktails in the Garden, but it's so far been absolutely fantastical! Do say "Hello!" and ask to make a photo with them...the entertainers have all been wonderfully friendly.

Woolly Mammoth | Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

While I love the dragon and the phoenix, the Woolly Mammoth is monumentally magnificent! And it's a natural fit in its Atlanta Botanical Garden habitat. 

Some of the creatures are seemingly hidden, but if you miss one going in one direction, you'll see it on your return. My recommendation is that you pick up an exhibition map upon arrival so that you're sure not to miss anything! 

Earth Goddess | Imaginary Worlds | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

We here in Atlanta have enjoyed Earth Goddess (Ice Goddess during the holiday lights show) and Shaggy Dog since the 2013 exhibition and they're as delightful as ever. 

If you're visiting Atlanta or going to the Garden for the first time for the first time in many years, Earth Goddess was one of the sculptures that we kept after that exhibition finished, like the three Chihuly glass sculptures we kept after their respective exhibitions.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville is in on the action, too! They're hosting the Ogre that we enjoyed a few years back. For a creature known to not have a terribly pleasant disposition, this Ogre is so much fun! Their exhibition is Imaginary Worlds: Ogre and Friends, some of the friends being Pandas!!!

Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a must-see to get a true sense of the wonders that Atlanta offers and Cocktails in the Garden, on Thursday evenings, is perfect for a date night, a get together with friends, and definitely for "something different" to do. See you there!

A Look Back at Summer in the Garden

I want to share with you a few of my favorite images of the Atlanta Botanical Garden from a couple of daytime visits this past summer. Keep in mind that some of these were made inside the Orchid Center, so you can enjoy the same beauty during winter.

Earth Goddess being hand watered | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I love, love, love this photo of Earth Goddess! How awesome to capture her hand being hand-watered.

My friend Wendy was visiting from Washington, DC, and we were just starting our walk across the Canopy Walk when we saw this...and I started snapping. This was Wendy's first visit to the Garden and Earth Goddess impresses...it's usually a first-stop when I'm touring friends around Atlanta Botanical Garden their first time. 

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Keep your eyes open...there is so much incredible beauty to see, smell, hear...to experience! Mind what you touch and taste, of course. 

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

There were a LOT of butterflies, of various species, at the Garden on this particular visit. I got some pretty good shots of a couple of them. Even at my age, chasing butterflies is great fun.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've always loved the lily pads at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and they've had them for many, many years...now throughout the Garden! There have been lilies in the fountain in front of the Fuqua Conservatory since it opened in 1989...when I remember a certain three-piece "Nessie" topiary that ran the length of that water feature.

I love the above photo not only for the gorgeous flower, but also for the goldfish just poking its head out just from under the lily pad. 

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've also always loved the pattern of dragonflies, although I tried as a kid to avoid them when swimming in lakes and rivers. They've been immortalized in many forms of art and their symbolism spans more topics than I can possibly share here, but the one that I think I like the most is "change"...something I've embraced as a desirable ability for many years.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

These carnivorous beauties can be found in the High Elevation House in the Fuqua Orchid Center...lots of them!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Nepenthes Pitcher Plant...stunning! Did you know that the Dale Chihuly sculpture in the Hardin Visitor Center at the Atlanta Botanical Garden was fashioned after this plant? 

If not, the next time you visit, have a look at the top of the sculpture and you'll see three pieces that have maroon colored lips. You'll immediately recognize them as Nepenthes Pitcher Plants!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you love honey as much as I do, you naturally love bees. My mother is terribly allergic to bee stings, but I've thus far avoided that devastating sentence. They're fascinating creatures and give us so much more than many realize.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Growing up my favorite color was orange. It's now dark red, but I still love a vibrant orange, except maybe for the invasive construction cone! It's much too prevalent in traffic these days. But, orange flowers...give me all you got!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm not exactly sure how large this particular variety of lily pad can grow, but I seem to recall hearing on a garden tour many years ago that it can grow approximately six feet wide! These particular ones were several feet wide when I made this photo...stunning no matter their diameter! 

I hope these few photos inspire you to break out your camera and visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden, during every season! Throughout its 30 acres, there is delightful beauty and magnificent splendor to discover. Treat yourself!

10 Reasons to See "Scarecrows in the Garden"

Scarecrows in the Garden has become a delightful tradition for Atlantans and visitors from all over. Why? Let me tell you.

This is my fifth Scarecrows in the Garden exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and I hope there will be many, many more. Instead of recapping my latest visit, I thought I'd share with you some of the many, many other reasons YOU should see Scarecrows in the Garden.

So, in no particular order...

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

1. Imaginary Worlds

The above beauty is "Mrs. Payne", a creation by a local school group. I'm only showing her head because it's what was the most fascinating to me about this particular scarecrow. You definitely have to see the whole thing...these kids did an amazing job!

She's located adjacent to the Ogre, one of the 28 sculptures in this year's "Imaginary Worlds" exhibition—one of the best reasons to go see Scarecrows in the Garden. Why? Because Imaginary Worlds is leaving at the end of October. You don't want to miss it!

It's been a remarkable two years in the running and an exhibition that will be remembered as well was Chihuly and Moore. Thank you, Mary Pat, for being such an incredible visionary...for contributing so much to Atlanta! 

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

2. Fest-of-Ale

Fest-of-Ale is every Thursday night in October, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and visitors are greeted by the huge scarecrow pictured above. He's also an award-winner! 

If you've been to "Cocktails in the Garden" then you'll know the basic format of Fest-of-Ale. Enjoying the Garden until 10:00 p.m., entertainment, and seasonal beverages—there are a lot of pumpkin flavored/themed ales to enjoy this season. And the Cafe is open until 9:00 p.m.

"A Flying Feat", by the Center for Puppetry Arts—another beloved Atlanta attraction and one I highly recommend visiting—was one of the winners of Scarecrows in the Garden. 

And, you may recall that I did a "10 Reasons to Visit the Center for Puppetry Arts" not too long ago...awesome attraction!

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

3. Music

During Fest-of-Ale, visitors are delighted by live music. When I visited last Thursday, the Decatur Bluegrass Association was playing and I have to say, they were fantastic—easily one of the best Bluegrass bands I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. 

I went over and chatted with a couple of the band members during a short break and these guys are as nice as they are talented. I invite you to "Like" Decatur Bluegrass Association on Facebook to learn where else you might catch one of their performances!

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

4. Photo-ops

If you've never had the opportunity to make a selfie with Alexis and/or Krystle (Dynasty), not to worry...Scarecrows in the Garden is coming to the rescue! 

Actually, Scarecrows in the Garden is wonderful for photo-ops, but please be mindful of the plantings where the scarecrows are—some of them may even be where future Atlanta Blooms specimens are planted. So don't assume you're not harming a plant...even if you can't see it. Don't be an Alexis!

Photos are encouraged...take all you want! When you're sharing them on Social Media, feel free to tag them #AtlBotanical, #FestOfAle, and #scarecrows. 

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

5. The Children's Garden

If you go on a Thursday evening, during Fest-of-Ale, be sure to visit the scarecrows in the two-acre Children's Garden first...the Children's Garden closes at dusk.

The Children's Garden is one of the brilliant opportunities for Atlantans and visiting families to enjoy the Garden in a unique fashion. 

There's weekly storytelling time, they have their own vegetable garden, there's a tree house (pictured above), there are giant frogs, there's a beehive, showering sunflowers....there's a LOT going on in the Children's Garden and Scarecrows in the Garden is a wonderful opportunity for grownups to learn what a great learning resource this is for kids.

And don't miss "Goblins in the Garden"...a festive event where your kids can show off their season's costumes on "Goblin Runway", and there are fall-themed crafts, a pony ride and a Ride-on-Train! Like I was saying...there is LOTS to do in the Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

6. Atlanta Events

I commend the Atlanta Botanical Garden for being so wonderfully generous in promoting other Atlanta attractions and Atlanta events...they really go above and beyond in that regard. 

For example, the "scarecrows" pictured above are an enticement to see the upcoming "Where the Wild Things Are" exhibition at The Breman Museum. I've enjoyed exhibits, events and programming at The Breman for years...they're a must-see on any list you'll see me put together. 

Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak in His Own Words and Pictures opens November 16, 2014.

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

7. Community

If you're wondering where the 100-plus scarecrows come from, they're from all over Atlanta! 

They're from Girl Scout troops—the scarecrow pictured above is from a local Scout troop, and another winner!—Atlanta businesses, Atlanta families, citizens, organizations, clubs, and attractions...they're from the Atlanta community! 

You've heard me say it again and again...the attractions and museums that foster a sense of community are the ones that I love most, and they happen to be some of the most successful in the City. 

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

8. The Rest of the Garden

Scarecrows in the Garden is spread throughout the Southern Seasons Garden and the Children's Garden, but there's acres and acres more to see and experience at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

From time to time I hear folks comment, "But it's expensive." However, given what the Garden has to offer and what it's doing for not only Atlanta, but for the world—through its amphibian and orchid conservation and research—admission is nominal...and, as a non-profit, you're supporting school programs, all the amazing classes the Garden offers, and you're promoting Atlanta! Thank you to all who do.

I invite you to explore the Garden's website, to learn more about all the amazing initiatives and programs and events they offer...you may be quite surprised!

I'm proud to support the Atlanta Botanical Garden through my Dual Membership, attending events regularly, shopping in the (amazing) Gift Shop, and telling all my friends and fans how amazing it is! And no, the Garden has never given me anything or a single cent to promote them...it's just one of my favorite places in all of Atlanta. It's an awesome destination!

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

9. Robots

Hey, I'm a sci-fi geek...how can I (and most other guys) not love robots? 

Actually, you're going to love the diversity of Scarecrows in the Garden. This year there's everything from "Pippi Longstraw" to a Merman, "Game of Crows" to a tribute to Robin Williams, and a pair of pandas by Zoo Atlanta to...well, robots!

With more than 100 scarecrows, there's definitely something for everyone!

Scarecrows in the Garden, 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

10. Tradition

Probably one of the more popular reasons to go to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see Scarecrows in the Garden: It's tradition! 

Scarecrows in the Garden has been enjoyed by Garden visitors for more than a decade, and I know that the kids who are seeing it now will thoroughly enjoy sharing the experience with their kids. The scarecrows are wonderfully brilliant now...I can only imagine how incredible they'll be in another 10 years!